Written questions by Obese-Jecty.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on the potential impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they fund or sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on the potential impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they fund or sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the Government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.UKRI grants are costed on known costs at the time of application. Whilst we recognise there may be impacts for Research Organisations with the increase in employers National Insurance contributions, unfortunately, it is not feasible to respond to every adjusting economic circumstance.

Innovation and Technology, what discussions he has had with ARIA on the impact of the rise of employer national insurance contributions on projects they fund or sponsor since July 2024.

In order to repair the public finances and help raise the revenue required to increase funding for public services, the government has taken the difficult decision to increase employer National Insurance. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with ARIA and the wider sector to create a sustainable research and innovation environment and discussions are ongoing.

Innovation and Technology, how his Department determined the category 2A threshold of seven million average monthly active UK users in the Online Safety Act 2023.

In March 2024, Ofcom published research and advice on categorisation, as required by the Online Safety Act. Ofcom’s advice can be found at the following web address: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/categorisation-research-and-advice/. In April 2024, Ofcom published a letter which provides some clarification on the approach that Ofcom took to developing its proposals and the results of the testing of threshold options. This letter can be found at the following web address: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/about-ofcom/public-correspondence/2024/04-24-letter-melanie-dawes-categorisation.pdf?v=322334. On 16 December, the Secretary of State laid regulations in line with Ofcom’s recommendations.

Innovation and Technology, how his Department determined the category 2B threshold of three million average monthly active UK users in the Online Safety Act 2023.

In March 2024, Ofcom published research and advice on categorisation, as required by the Online Safety Act. Ofcom’s advice can be found at the following web address: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/categorisation-research-and-advice/. In April 2024, Ofcom published a letter which provides some clarification on the approach that Ofcom took to developing its proposals and the results of the testing of threshold options. This letter can be found at the following web address: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/about-ofcom/public-correspondence/2024/04-24-letter-melanie-dawes-categorisation.pdf?v=322334. On 16 December, the Secretary of State laid regulations in line with Ofcom’s recommendations.

Innovation and Technology, what the evidential basis is for the Category 1 threshold of 34 million average monthly active United Kingdom users in the Online Safety Act 2023.

In March 2024, Ofcom published research and advice on categorisation, as required by the Online Safety Act. Ofcom’s advice can be found at the following web address: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/categorisation-research-and-advice/. In April 2024, Ofcom published a letter which provides some clarification on the approach that Ofcom took to developing its proposals and the results of the testing of threshold options. This letter can be found at the following web address: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/about-ofcom/public-correspondence/2024/04-24-letter-melanie-dawes-categorisation.pdf?v=322334. On 16 December, the Secretary of State laid regulations in line with Ofcom’s recommendations.

Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of Government funding for Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency research in financial year 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that funding.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR funds, enables, and delivers high-quality research to improve patient care and public health and supports liver research through a range of funding programmes, training, support for researchers and facilities.UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. UKRI’s Medical Research Council also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI has funded £1,613.772 to the University of College London for a research project into antitrypsin, to form long chains of linked molecules (called "polymers") that are trapped inside liver cells. The build-up of polymers damages the cell and increases the chance of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.Funding for health-related research is also available through the UK’s association with the Horizon Europe Programme, worth more than £80 billion.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with UK Research and Innovation on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.

Innovation and Technology, what estimate he has made of the potential cost to the public purse of Government funding for intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy research in financial year 2023-24; and which public bodies provided that funding.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funds medical research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). NIHR funds, enables, and delivers high-quality research to improve patient care and public health and supports liver research through a range of funding programmes, training, support for researchers and facilities.UKRI delivers a substantial portfolio of researcher-led projects. UKRI’s Medical Research Council also plays a key role in funding underpinning research which may not be attributable to a specific condition but will benefit medical research more generally. UKRI has funded £1,613.772 to the University of College London for a research project into antitrypsin, to form long chains of linked molecules (called "polymers") that are trapped inside liver cells. The build-up of polymers damages the cell and increases the chance of developing liver cirrhosis and liver cancer.Funding for health-related research is also available through the UK’s association with the Horizon Europe Programme, worth more than £80 billion.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with businesses on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024; and with which businesses he has had such discussions.

The Department has regular discussions with businesses and universities on a range of issues, including environmental sustainability. UKRI has close engagement with the Research & Innovation sector within the UK through their Environmental Strategy, as well as the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. The concordat aims to help the sector act responsibly to protect and promote the environment, and representation includes universities, research institutes, catapults and funding organisations. Internationally, UKRI is also part of the Heidelberg Agreement. Nine European countries collaborated on developing the agreement, through which research funders take a proactive approach to promoting sustainability in scientific research.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Research England on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Medical Research Council on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Science and Technology Facilities Council on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Economic and Social Research Council on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Arts and Humanities Research Council on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Advanced Research and Invention Agency on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

As set out in ARIA’s Framework Agreement, ARIA has unique operational freedoms, including over its research and project choice and its procedures. ARIA is committed to integrating sustainable practices into both its business operations and its programme portfolio. As set out in the Framework Agreement, ARIA will evaluate itself against pillar A of the 2021-25 Greening Government Commitments. Additionally, ARIA will have regard to contributing to the UK’s climate change targets and environmental goals through its programme portfolio.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with the Geospatial Commission on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

The Geospatial Commission (now part of the Government Digital Service) has had no discussions with the Secretary of State on sustainability aspects of their work.

Innovation and Technology, whether he has had discussions with Innovate UK on (a) their sustainability plans and (b) assessments of the sustainability of projects they (i) fund and (ii) otherwise sponsor since July 2024.

Ministers and officials meet regularly with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) including its constituent councils, on a range of issues. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2020-2025 sets out UKRI’s ambition to protect and enhance the environment across its investments and operations, while ensuring that the research and innovation it supports stays at the cutting-edge. The UKRI Environmental Sustainability Strategy is available at: https://www.ukri.org/publications/ukri-environmental-sustainability-strategy/.As part of this Strategy, UKRI established a carbon fund, which identified and funded quick wins in their research facilities and as of April 2025 will support the implementation of a pilot scheme for carbon budgets.UKRI’s councils provide broad support for research and innovation to improve sustainability, including over £22.7 million funding over five years through the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council to support research that drives the transition to sustainable technologies and operations.